press-release-refugee-day-2019

PRESS RELEASE: Life-changing Court Order for refugees’ spouses and children handed down, day before World Refugee Day

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Today, the day before World Refugee Day, the Western Cape High Court has handed down a landmark Court Order that is set to radically improve the lives of thousands of asylum-seeking families across South Africa.

The Order, confirmed by the court following successful negotiations between the Department of Home Affairs and civil society, pertains to children and spouses of asylum seekers and refugees living in South Africa.

Wives, husbands, children and other dependents of asylum-seekers and refugees are able to document themselves in South Africa as 'dependents' of the principle asylum applicant in a process commonly known as 'family-joining'. This aspect of the Refugee Act – outlined at section 3(c) – means that refugee families can be documented together, ensuring their rights to family unity and dignity in South Africa. As refugees cannot return to their country due to conflict or persecution, maintaining a family unit that is documented together is an important part of building stability and ensuring proper refugee protection in South Africa.

However, many applicants had experienced barriers when trying to join family members in this way. Wives, husbands, children, and other dependents of asylum applicants and refugees have been left with no way to document themselves in South Africa. They have been forced into an undocumented state, placing them in a position that is vulnerable to exploitation, detention and arrest.

In reaction to this, civil society organisations Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town represented by the Refugee Rights Unit at UCT, and Advocate Suzanna Harvey, took the matter to court in 2016.

The order confirms a set of Standard Operating Procedures which have been agreed on between DHA and the applicants. As such, dependents are now able to apply to be documented as either through family joining or in om their own grounds, upon provision of certain documents, where possible, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate – regardless of where the marriage or birth took place. Affidavits are to be submitted in the absense of such documents. This family joining is to be completed regardless of whether the dependents were included in the applicant's original asylum application or not. Should there be “serious doubts” about the validity of a parents' claim over their child, DHA can request a DNA test, which will then be assessed and possibly funded by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

Administrative nuances aside, the ultimate success of this case is that asylum-seeking and refugee families can now fulfil their right to access documentation in South Africa. With documentation, these families no longer need to fear arrest and detention, can work legally, and can enrol their children in school without administrative barriers.

For more information on this case, contact Sally Gandar (Scalabrini Centre ) on sally@scalabrini.org.za / 0214656433 or 079 171 8558 and Popo Mfubu (UCT Refugee Right’s Unit) on popo.mfubu@uct.ac.za / 021 650 5581 or +27 (83) 799-6495

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Ryan English School volunteer

Ryan Musser – English School volunteer

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Before coming to the Scalabrini Centre, Ryan had experience working with children with behavioural issues in an educational setting, but this would be his first time teaching adults. He spent six months volunteering at the Scalabrini English School. This was his experience. 

“My six months in the Scalabrini English School has allowed me to grow as a person and as a professional. The people that I have met and worked with have driven me to exceed my own expectation of myself. The mentoring I have received has been invaluable in my development as a person, a professional and as a teacher. My experiences have enabled me to think in creative ways to better help the clients at Scalabrini learn English. One of my biggest lessons has been how to implement a system where it continues to function in a high turnover system.

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“My six months in the Scalabrini English School has allowed me to grow as a person and as a professional. The people that I have met and worked with have driven me to exceed my own expectation of myself. The mentoring I have received has been invaluable in my development as a person, a professional and as a teacher”

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As time went on, my responsibilities increased. I started by keeping record of the class registers and assisting in some classes. By the end of my time, I was stepping in to teach classes where the teachers could not attend and running my own class. I was also assigned the duty of creating, scheduling and organising our enrichment workshop for our clients.

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I developed three workshops. A dating workshop where clients discussed the cultural differences when it comes to dating, a workshop on friendship in different cultures and a history of South Africa workshop, focusing mainly on Apartheid. I worked closely with other departments to coordinate extra opportunities for clients to learn about different subjects. I worked with an individual who facilitated a health workshop for our clients where he educated them about HIV, AIDS and safe sex practises. I also coordinated an Advocacy workshop in which one of our staff members educated our clients about detention, deportation and answered any questions about papers. 

Our team has grown close over the past six months. We have all moulded into our roles and developed a chemistry which makes our program run at a maximum efficiency. One element that has allowed our program to function smoothly is having a full time staff member who can teach and complete administrative work. Our program becomes extremely busy at certain times of the term. 

In conclusion, the time I have spent at this organisation has influenced me the most in my life. I would recommend Scalabrini to anyone who is looking for an experience that will enrich their humanity and broaden their view of the world.“

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cape town volunteer fanny eap

Fanny – BASP, WP and EAP volunteer

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“I was born and raised in Umea, Sweden, and am currently attending university there, where I study social work and social science. I was drawn to this field because I consider myself a people person, and want to work with and help those in need. My field is pretty common in Sweden, actually.

I first came to South Africa in November 2017 to conduct a field study through my university. I did my research at a boy’s home here in Cape Town, and wrote a paper about my results. In the process, I fell in love with the city, the people, and the weather. It works out great because there’s so much to do in the field of social work here and it’s approached so differently from Sweden; it’s fascinating! Almost everything in Sweden is mandated by the state and NGO’s exist, but are few and far between. When I got the opportunity to come back to South Africa this  year, I was really excited. This time, I’m here for 5 months. 

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“I’ve always identified as a feminist and it’s nice to contribute towards efforts to uplift women. I also love the way the program puts the power in the women’s hands and allows them to empower themselves through their own strength and skills; it’s great to see them build a network and a community. So many women come back to teach or lead programs, which is great to see.”

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I was placed at Scalabrini by my university, through a program called African Sunrise. I knew I wanted to work in the NGO setting and was initially placed in BASP. Although I learned a lot while upstairs, I like my current position, a mix between Women’s Platform and EAP much better. I really love Women’s Platform. I’ve always identified as a feminist and it’s nice to contribute towards efforts to uplift women.

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 I also love the way the program puts the power in the women’s hands and allows them to empower themselves through their own strength and skills; it’s great to see them build a network and a community. So many women come back to teach or lead programs, which is great to see.

My work varies a lot from day-to-day. I always start out doing travel stipends, and beyond that, it’s mostly behind-the-scenes work updating spreadsheets, making phone calls to follow-up with graduates of the Women’s Platform, and other administrative tasks. I recently got to help with the workshop that was organized for Mental Health Awareness Month in October, and I loved that. On Fridays, I’m in EAP, and enjoy that role because I get to meet clients and feel my direct impact.

I’ve learned a lot since coming here, especially during the integration workshop. It taught me about privilege and set the tone for the internship. I think my general perspective of people has opened up a lot, and it's only continuing to spread. My advice to future interns is to be open to challenges and to ask about what you’re interested in and pursue it. I’ll be going back to Sweden in January, and have a year left of school. I’ll write my thesis, which will probably be a comparison between Swedish and South African refugee communities, and plan to graduate in January 2020.”

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volunteer employment access programme

Carley Cook – EAP volunteer

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“I was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and I ended up going out-of-state for college, and currently attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. My parents were super supportive of me going to school there because they actually met in North Carolina, so it was one of those “full-circle” kinds of experiences. I’m studying psychology and political science at school, and ended up here in Cape Town through my study-abroad program.

This is my first time in South Africa. It’s been, to put it simply, jarring and beautiful and exhausting and exciting. I’ve only ever lived in New Mexico and North Carolina, so being here almost feels like I’m in a time warp. South Africa is not that far removed from its apartheid past, and at times, that reality it glaringly apparent. Oppression is more visible here than anywhere else I’ve been, and it’s shocking and frustrating.

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“I’ve learned too much to put into a sentence. People are more resilient than I ever thought possible; my clients are kind and patient and gracious and carry themselves with honour even though the world seems to be against them.”

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I’ve loved my time at Scalabrini. I’ve learned too much to put into a sentence. People are more resilient than I ever thought possible; my clients are kind and patient and gracious and carry themselves with honour even though the world seems to be against them. I’m so grateful to feel like I’m having a tangible contribution here rather than just sitting back and taking up space, which happens a lot at mid-college level intern roles.

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Because of this experience, I know I want to do something in law and social justice, but I’m still not sure what form that will take. I could see myself working for innocence project, a non-profit in the US that works to exonerate the wrongfully convicted through DNA testing and more generally promotes criminal justice reform, but I’m also really passionate about the issue of domestic violence. Being at Scalabrini has definitely helped me feel comfortable working in a nonprofit setting, which has been great.

The most impactful moment I’ve had here was actually quite emotionally challenging. Did you know you have to have a phone to create a google account? Well, I was working with a client one day and was already frustrated because I couldn’t find the job postings he’d come in intending to apply for, and he’d already been waiting for a while so it was really frazzling for me. Eventually, I found one of them, but he didn’t have an email and, we discovered, you need a valid phone number to make one, which leads to a lot of barriers and roadblocks because of this unjust and elitist system. I just felt really hopeless. I distinctly remember the moment he left just because, throughout these challenges, he was so gracious and didn’t look upset or disappointed but carried himself with dignity and honour. Now, I’m trying to get Scalabrini to get a cell phone so we don’t have to face that roadblock for future clients. 

After I leave Scalabrini, I’m going back home and taking the LSAT in January and applying early to Law School. I hope to take a few years after college to teach internationally, and then pursue a law degree.”

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Cape Town Journalists Guide to Migration

New Release: A Journalist’s Guide to Reporting on Migration

The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town, in collaboration with African Centre for Migration & Society, Sonke Gender Justice, Lawyers for Human Rights and CoRMSA, has published a Journalist’s Guide to Reporting on Migration in South Africa.

Read more
Cape Town Reflections on Migration Rhoda

Three insights on migration: Rhoda, our English School Manager

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The Scalabrini team works with migrants and refugees every day. With such deep expertise at hand, we take the opportunity to reflect on migration with them. This month we speak to Rhoda, manager of the English School, who finds enormous joy in being able to teach as well as learn from our clients.

1. Education can be a second chance for migrants in a new country
Rhoda did not specifically choose to work with migrants. She wants to work with a community for whom education is a second bridge in life. ‘When the first bridge is burned’, she says, ‘education helps you to build another one.’ Rhoda’s students are not the only ones that are learning. ‘I am learning, I am seeing so many different shades in my own reality,’ she describes. Being able to teach these adults helps her to redefine what teaching really is, and what it can be.

2. We must respect those who have the courage to take a new journey
Hundreds of stories have passed through the English School. For Rhoda, there was one that she will never forget. When she was still a volunteer at Scalabrini, she was filtering people into the correct classes and had to get a conversation going. ‘I looked at somebody and I said to her: ‘How did you get to Cape Town?’ She looked me in the eye, and she said: ‘I walked here’.
Rhoda admires and respects the work it takes to be a migrant. For her, the refugees and migrants that come to Scalabrini are the people that have gotten up and decided to start a journey. She says: ‘I am a worker, I respect work. And I respect someone who says: ‘Now I am going to change the present.’

3. Negative connotations around migration are misled: migration is a multi-coloured, rich picture
Rhoda is humbled by the fact that at this moment, in the beginner’s English class, there is a woman who is busy writing her doctorate. The arena that she works in is deeply diverse. ‘There is a woman who is a diplomat. There are lawyers. You name it – there is one of them in our classes. I wish that people would spell ‘migrants’, ‘refugees’, ‘foreigners’, differently.’
These words have negative connotations – and it is easy to judge that connotation, says Rhoda. She believes that you cannot blame the public for such negative connotations, because people are highly influenced by the media. But Rhoda has been given a rare opportunity: ‘I have seen so many textures in the migrant population. For me it is a rich picture. You could not really blame it on someone that they see it in monochrome.’

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cape town volunteer emiel advocacy

Emiel – Advocacy volunteer

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Emiel came to South Africa wanting to put his theoretical knowledge into practise. His time at Scalabrini has not only enhanced his skills and personal development, but it has also opened his eyes. He spent six months volunteering in the Advocacy Programme. Read about his time at Scalabrini below. 

As a volunteer, Emiel would spend most of his day providing supervised paralegal advice, practical assistance and referrals to vulnerable individuals and groups from refugee, migrant and asylum seeker communities. The clients that he would deal with came from many different countries around Africa, some have spent many years living here and others are new to the country. 

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“He says that his time here has awakened him to take notice of the problems South Africa faces regarding migrant and refugee rights. It has been a big reality check for him. One reads about refugees and migrants in different parts of the world in a newspaper, but it is very different when sitting across from a person with real problems, asking for help.”

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Being able to speak French would often be very useful as many clients come from countries where French is their first language and Emiel was able to step in and help his colleagues when there was a language barrier. 

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He says that his time here has awakened him to take notice of the problems South Africa faces regarding migrant and refugee rights. It has been a big reality check for him. One reads about refugees and migrants in different parts of the world in a newspaper, but it is very different when sitting across from a person with real problems, asking for help.

Emiel realised that when you look at the impact that you are making on a daily basis volunteering in an area like advocacy, it can sometimes feel relatively small and on a micro level, but when you hear that your effort made things work out, it gives you a feeling of satisfaction. He acknowledges that making an impact on a micro level is already very valuable for the individual client. 

He has learned a great deal while volunteering at Scalabrini, including information about the ins and outs of South Africa’s asylum system and the practical everyday barriers that many asylum seekers, migrants and refugees face in South Africa. Emiel has been able to put his theoretical skills and knowledge into practise, making it possible to make a difference for Scalabrini’s clients. 

Having had to return home to Belgium, Emiel says he might not be there for too long. He would like to work abroad , preferably somewhere where he can be involved with the protection and rights of refugees.” 

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cape town volunteer beza eap

Beza – EAP volunteer

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“I was born in Canada but grew up in Colorado, and ended up going out-of-state for college in North Carolina! I am currently a junior at Duke University, pursuing a double-major in African American Studies and Political Science. I ended up at Scalabrini through my study abroad program, and currently serve as an EAP intern. I chose this program specifically because I was drawn to the idea of having a hands-on internship experience, and I’ve definitely gotten that. 

On a typical day, I spend 8:30-12:30 helping at the EAP desk. For the first half hour, I search and update job postings in the area, and at 9am we start seeing clients and helping them create CV’s. I spend the afternoons either teaching a digital literacy class until 4, or calling clients to follow-up with them and see whether they  have found employment. I also grade tests, look up internships for specific clients, and deal with other paperwork. 

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“My favourite thing about being here is the clients, hands-down. I remember once having a bad day of classwork and just being really frustrated, and then checking my email and seeing that a client had sent me this really sweet and thankful email in response to the CV I’d made for him. Another client brought me a sweet gift and thank you note one time, and these little gestures of gratitude are really heartwarming and uplifting.”

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This is my first time in South Africa, and honestly, I’ve loved it. I still feel like there’s so much left to learn in terms of politics, though. I came in knowing it was going to be nuanced, but there’s so much to discover. I just feel like I’m going to get home and keep reading books on South Africa to try to better understand all these nuances. 

It feels like Cape Town has it all; beautiful, amazing people, beaches, vineyards, and although I’ve enjoyed my experience, Cape Town is so different from the rest of South Africa. I find myself wondering how authentically “South African” my time here has been. It’s not always realistic to explore and understand spaces like townships first-hand, and the extremes here are just so extreme. These crazy, massive mansions are 20-30 minutes from slums. I come from places of inequality, but the divides here are so much more shocking and apparent, and these inconsistent demonstrations of wealth  make me very critical of my role here. People are still very clearly oppressed and facing the consequences of apartheid.

My intern role has been really impactful, and my clients’ resilience and ability to create roots, home and stability in places that don’t want them or can’t have them is incredible. They are faced with challenges like xenophobia and oppressive government structures, but I am consistently impressed by their determination and persistence in times where I couldn’t imagine myself doing the same. I have also gained a lot of confidence in myself and my abilities since coming here. It’s so validating to feel like my work is seen and appreciated; back home and in university, everything is so competitive and can make you feel like you aren’t good enough, but being here has given me the opposite feeling which is so invigorating.

My favourite thing about being here is the clients, hands-down. I remember once having a bad day of classwork and just being really frustrated, and then checking my email and seeing that a client had sent me this really sweet and thankful email in response to the CV I’d made for him. Another client brought me a sweet gift and thank you note one time, and these little gestures of gratitude are really heartwarming and uplifting.

After I leave Scalabrini, I’m going to finish my last year and a half of college and apply for the Peace Corps. I’ve always known I wanted an English teaching position in francophone Africa, and this internship has made me feel more capable of succeeding in a role like that. 

My advice for future interns is to come in a position of humility and compassion every day, and when you’re at your most frustrated, to take a second and return to that place, remember why you’re here. My hope for future clients is that they feel as capable and empowered as they truly are, and to know that even in seemingly-hopeless situations, they are capable of achievement.”

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cape town volunteer laura eap

Laura Hickson – EAP volunteer

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“I was born and raised in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and graduated from the University of Mississippi last May. During my university experience, I studied abroad in Barcelona for a semester and then in Cape Town for a year. I loved my experiences in both, but knew I had to return to Cape Town before I’d even left. I remember sitting in a cafe not too far from Scalabrini and researching potential NGO’s. When I came across Scalabrini, I was really impressed with the work they do and wanted to contribute however I could.

I studied history and sociology while at school, and although I was passionate about my courses and found the content fascinating, I knew I wanted to keep traveling after graduation. I’m interested in the fields of human rights and social equality, so my placement with the Employment Access Programme has gone so well.

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“A lot of my motivation stems from my students and their eagerness to learn. My advice for future interns is to embrace these challenges that might be thrown at you, because they could shape some great relationships and opportunities for growth.”

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On a daily basis, I help clients make or update their CV’s, apply for jobs, and I also teach a Microsoft Excel course on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Recently, I’ve started working with the Women’s Platform, and I enjoy interacting with clients face-to-face and getting to understand issues of migration first-hand, instead of just as numbers and statistics. 

My favourite memory at Scalabrini has been teaching the Excel class, because it was such a challenge for me at first but has turned into something to look forward to. A lot of my motivation stems from my students and their eagerness to learn. My advice for future interns is to embrace these challenges that might be thrown at you, because they could shape some great relationships and opportunities for growth.

I plan on going to law school eventually, and want to specialize in human rights or immigration law. I’m especially passionate about the inequality of the criminal justice system, so long-term, I see myself doing work in that field.”

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Three insights on migration: Jane, our Welfare Officer

The Scalabrini team works with migrants and refugees every day. With such deep expertise at hand, we take the opportunity to reflect on migration with them. This month we speak to Jane, manager of the Welfare Programme, who finds beauty in the productivity and resilience of her clients, despite the hardships they face.

1. It takes a migrant to truly understand migration
As a migrant herself, Jane understands the journeys that her clients have been through. ‘Being a migrant from another African country, I think clients feel that we can relate with them’, she says. ‘I think they feel more comfortable with me, because I understand what it means to leave your family.’

2. Working with migrants will teach you the true meaning of resilience
Although Jane’s job is to assist migrants and refugees, they too have lessons for her. ‘My clients teach me about resilience’, Jane explains. ‘They risk their lives, their families – and they don’t even know where they are going to. They just go.’ The Welfare Programme see a range of clients, from those in extremely vulnerable positions with multiple needs (such as sick, elderly and disabled clients in unstable living conditions) to those that need guidance on accessing services. The response provided by the team depends on the needs, once the client is assessed. Jane recalls a specific case that illustrates resilience. A woman approached the Welfare Programme in desperate need: she was sick, unable to speak English, and with nowhere to sleep that night. With the gradual assistance of her team, Jane watched the client bloom into the woman she is today – a successful business woman, running her own restaurant. ‘We have been on a journey with her, and she has shown us her courage and resilience.’

3. Migration is an opportunity, not a threat – and we need to shift our mindset
Having worked in the migration sector for a decade, Jane has developed expertise in working with vulnerable migrants. Simultaneously, Jane watches as the South African government restricts migration. ‘We need to start perceiving migration as an opportunity. There are so many migrants that are bringing productivity to South Africa. I see that as an opportunity, not as a threat.’ Jane appreciates the richness of migration; she sees it in her work every day. For her, harnessing the potential of migration in South Africa is a missed opportunity – that South Africa, and her people, are missing out on.

About the Welfare Programme
The Welfare Programme assists clients with various basic needs – from clothing to hospital access. The Welfare staff assess clients’ needs and finds a sustainable way to assist, encouraging the client’s independence. To find out more, or make a donation, please email jane@scalabrini.org.za, or call us on +27 (0)21 465 6433.